Combined solar electric power and liquid heat transfer collector panel

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for converting solar energy to thermal and electrical energy including a photovoltaic grid for converting the concentrated solar energy into electrical energy mounted on a copper plate that provides even temperature dispersion across the plate and acts as a thermal radiator when the apparatus is used in the radiant cooling mode; and a plurality of interconnected heat transfer tubes located within the enclosure and disposed on the plane below the copper plate but conductively coupled to the copper plate for converting the solar energy to thermal energy in a fluid disposed within the heat transfer tubes. Fresnel lenses are affixed to the apparatus on mountings for concentrating the solar energy on to the photovoltaic grid and functioning as a passive solar tracker.

[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/681,124 filed Feb. 1, 2001.

[0002] The sole inventor is Annemarie Hvistendahl Konold whose country of citizenship is the U.S.A and resides at: 23903 Malibu Knolls Road, Malibu, Calif. 90265.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] Portion of the invention described herein was also described in patent application Ser. No. 09/681,123, Filed Jan. 31, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

[0005] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] (1) Field Of The Invention

[0007] The present invention relates to the use of solar energy for conversion of solar energy to electrical and thermal energy with the added function of radiant cooling for general use with industrial/commercial processes requiring working fluid cooling; and using a heat transfer plate to heat a photovoltaic array to maintain its operating temperature in a range that provides maximum efficiency to improve electrical energy conversion in cold climates or winter condition

[0008] (2) Description of the Related Art

[0009] The conversion of solar energy to thermal or electrical energy through the use of systems such as photovoltaic arrays, passive absorbers of solar energy, solar furnaces, trough concentrating collectors with sun trackers is well established in the art. U.S. Pat No. 4,315,163 describes a multipower electrical system for supplying electrical energy to a house including a solar photovoltaic array, a battery charger and DC to AC inverter. U.S. Pat No. 4,147,157 describes an active solar energy system comprising an array of solar collectors for both generating power for a pump and for heating a fluid, a pumping device powered by the array to circulate the heated fluid and a storage tank to contain the heated fluid. Similarly, U.S. Pat No. 5,293,447 describes a system for heating water using solar energy comprising a photovoltaic array, a water heater and a controller.

[0010] Systems have also been proposed for simultaneously converting solar energy to thermal and electrical. For example, U.S. Pat No. 4,392,008 describes a flat plated solar thermal collector below and in spaced conductive relationship to a plate-mounted array of photovoltaic cells. U.S. Pat No. 5,522,944 describes an apparatus with an array of photovoltaic cells and a plurality of interconnected heat collecting tubes disposed on the same plane with the array.

[0011] Other systems attempting to optimize electrical energy conversion and provide conversion to thermal energy from solar energy have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat No. 4,373,308 describes a solar cell array consisting of individually rotatable, elongated segments driven by a sun tracker and motor with a thermal solar collector supported beneath the solar cell array for utilization of solar energy received through a roof opening in a building. U.S. Pat No. 6,018,123 describes a solar cell module provided at the position of a heat collecting plate inside a heat collector in which hot air can be led into a house while maintaining the performance of solar cells.

[0012] However, there is an unmet need in the art for improvements to optimize systems that convert solar energy to both thermal and electrical energy efficiently in colder climates adding a function to radiate heat to cool fluids and keep the collectors free of snow and ice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention provides enhanced performance characteristics and adds a heat radiator function within a single enclosure that previous inventions do not provide.

[0014] Included within a single enclosure is a photovoltaic grid that converts solar energy into electrical energy, a thermally conductive heat transfer plate disposed on a plane below the photovoltaic grid. The heat transfer plate converts the solar energy in thermal energy uniformly distributed over the entire plate. On a plane below the plate but thermally coupled to the plate by a thermal conductive compound are copper tubes which impart the thermal energy from the plate to a fluid disposed inside the tube heating the fluid to a high temperature before being discharged from the enclosure.

[0015] In a radiator mode, a hot fluid is introduced to the copper tubes that absorb the heat form the fluid, cooling the fluid. This thermal energy is conducted from the tubes to the heat transfer plate that radiates the thermal energy through the photovoltaic grid and out through the glass covered top of the enclosure.

[0016] The capability to convert solar energy to electrical energy and to thermal energy is improved by the addition of a Fresnel lens array supported above the photovoltaic grid by lens support panels riveted to the enclosure. The Fresnel lens magnifies the amount of insolation (solar energy) received by the photovoltaic grid and the thermal transfer plate. The Fresnel lens is held in place on the lens supports by lens retainer in a manner that imparts a curvature to the lens. This curvature allows the lens to magnify the available insolation regardless of the Sun's position providing a passive solar tracker capability. Thus the need for a Sun tracker sensor, drive electronics and a drive motor coupled to the lens array is not required, saving energy, weight and cost. Testing has shown that the performance of the photovoltaic grid is improved by at least 14 percent using this lens feature.

[0017] The ability to remove heat from a hot fluid and radiate the heat through the photovoltaic grid and out the enclosure top heats the lens array and the surrounding lens support panels. This heating ability allows operation of the collector in cold climates preventing the build up of ice and snow on the collector.

[0018] A temperature sensor is provided so that when the sensor output signal is coupled to a microprocessor-based controller, thermostat or Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller, fluid flow rate can be regulated as a function of its discharge temperature. By this method, fluid discharged from the collector can be maintained at a constant temperature. Since this temperature is also proportional to the photovoltaic grid temperature, the photovoltaic operating temperature can maintained within the preferred range of 70° F. to 100° F. which is the range where the photovoltaic grid is most efficient.

[0019] Another benefit is provided with the flow of cold fluid through the collector panels, if mounted on a building roof, reduces the roof temperature in the immediate area around the panel enclosure from roof temperatures of 100° F. to 140° F. down to 80° F. to 120° F. depending upon the building environmental conditions. This ability to cool roofs augments or replaces building air conditioning thus providing a savings in building air conditioning costs,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a conceptual depiction of the collector panels installed in a system illustrating the primary components employed to provide simultaneous electric power and heat from a single system using a single set of Solar collection panels.

[0021]FIG. 2 shows the three views of the Collector Panel comprised of the Photovoltaic electric, the heat exchanger, and the Fresnel Lens assembly. The electrical and plumbing fittings are provided for interconnection of multiple Solar Collector panel units, and connection of the panels to accompanying electrical energy storage and thermal energy storage or dissipation systems.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows the Collector Panel sizes and power & heat capacities for assembly into multiple-panel arrays.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates the internal design of the Collector Panel indicating the integration of the Photovoltaic grid, the heat exchanger, and the Fresnel Lens assembly. The Photovoltaic grid and the heat exchanger are interfaced through a copper heat conducting plate for uniform and efficient heat absorption and radiation.

[0024]FIG. 5 shows the Collector Panel array for simultaneous liquid heating and/or panel warming and electric power generation. Cold liquid flows from the consumer's plant into the panels and heated liquid flows out of the panels into the consumer's plant. Electric current flow to the consumer's plant is included.

[0025]FIG. 6 shows the Collector Panel array for simultaneous liquid cooling and/or Collector Panel warming and electric power generation. Hot liquid flows from the consumer's plant into the panels and cooled liquid flows out of the panels into the consumer's plant. Electric current flow to the consumer's plant is included.

[0026]FIG. 7 shows the components provided and their connection for the electrical segment of the Collector panel, including a list of consumer plant systems with which the electrical segment is integrated.

[0027]FIG. 8 shows the components provided and their connection for the heat transfer segment of the Collector panel, including a list of consumer plant systems with which the heat transfer segment is integrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The invention employs a Collector Panel that is a self-contained, compact Solar Photovoltaic and heat energy absorption and dissipation unit that provides electric power and liquid heat transfer from within a single integrated unit. FIG. 2 shows the three views of the Collector Panel comprising the Photovoltaic electric, the heat exchanger, and the Fresnel lens assembly. The Fresnel lens assembly [205], [409] is employed to increase the Solar electric and heat energy capturing capacity of the panel. Initial testing indicates that the increase is as much as 14 percent above conventional solar electric and heating panels. Through its shape, the Lens assembly also provides static Sun tracking to maximize solar energy capture, without the use of mechanical rotating or positioning mechanisms. The lenses provide this enhancement on days of partial overcast as well as on Sunny days. As seen in FIG. 3, the Collector Panel is provided in a range of sizes and capacities to provide flexibility in grouping of arrays to meet consumer energy requirements.

[0029]FIG. 4 gives the detailed design of the integrated Collector Panel. As shown in the panel Section A-A, a copper plate [403] is mated between the Photovoltaic grid substrate and the heat exchanger to uniformly absorb incoming heat from the Sun and distribute it to the heat exchanger copper tubing [404]. Similarly, the copper plate [403] uniformly distributes heat from the heat exchanger [404] to the Photovoltaic substrate for radiation to the atmosphere when the Collector Panel is connected for heat dissipation. Foam insulation [405] lies between the heat exchanger [404] and the bottom plate [406] to reduce heat leakage from the Collector Panel, retaining maximum heat for transfer to or from the user plant.

[0030] The anodized aluminum frame has attached to the bottom along the length of the long first side and long second side an L-shaped aluminum channel with mounting holes disposed evenly across the length of the channel. These mounting holes allow for the fastening of the collector panel enclosure to a footing or building roof using standard bolts. Rivets attach the L-channels.

[0031] In a similar manner, aluminum lens supports are riveted along the length of each side of the enclosure. The height of these supports are selected to allow positioning of the lens assembly 6.5 to 7.5 inches above the bottom of the panel cover plate depending upon the panel size or 5.5 inches above the photovoltaic grid glass cover plate. This distance was selected to ensure that the focal point of the fresnel lens lies below the plane of the photovoltaic grid so that hot spots due to insolation magnification don't form on the grid.

[0032] As seen in FIG. 2, [206] openings, or louvers, are provided in the lens supports with movable sections to control air and rain flow across the grid surface. For cold climate installation, the louvers are opened for maximum heat radiation, airflow, and release of impingent snow and ice. For warm climate installation, FIG. 4, the lens support louvers are closed to preclude the leakage of captured heat, which would otherwise be caused by airflow across the grid surface.

[0033] Along the top inside edge, running the full length of each lens support are lens retainers fastened to the lens supports by screws. Each retainer has a grove sized to receive the edge of the fresenl lens similar to a tongue and grove fitting to hold the lens firmly in position. The retainers are fabricated either from a hard rubberized material or plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the retainers are plastic. Each of the shorts side of each lens is secured in this manner.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, View A-A, the collector panel is constructed as a sandwich of component layers. The first layer is the cover plate held in place by the overlaying lip formed on the top of the enclosure side members. In the preferred embodiment the cover plate is made from glass but it can be plastic. Mounted below the cover is the photovoltaic grid. The grid is a commercial unit available from Kyocera, Siemens and BP. Below that is mounted the heat transfer plate for uniform and efficient heat absorption and radiation. In the preferred embodiment the plate is made from copper. For maximum heat transfer, a tube heat exchanger is bonded to the heat transfer plate using a thermal conducting compound. In the preferred embodiment, the tube heat exchanger is made from copper tubing and the compound is a copper-filled epoxy.

[0035] Foam insulation lies between the heat exchanger and the enclosure bottom plate. When rivets secure the bottom plate, the entire collector panel sandwich is firmly held in place.

[0036] The above-unsealed Collector Panel is designed to be a self-contained, compact Solar Photovoltaic and heat energy absorption and dissipation unit that provides electric power and liquid heat transfer from within a single integrated unit

[0037] Plenum, high temperature rated cabling 200° C., 14 gauge is attached to the photovoltaic grid and brings the electrical energy out to the junction box. Connections to the Photovoltaic grid are made through the junction box [202] and the electrical conduit elbow fitting [202], [402]. Signal cabling from the discharge temperature sensor, described below, is also brought through the junction box and the electrical conduit elbow fitting. The conduit elbow [202], [402] facilitates the connection of any number of Collector Panels into arrays as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0038] Connections to the heat exchanger are through standard pipe thread fittings [204], [505], [605]. The pipe thread fittings [204], [505], [605] facilitate the joining of any number of Collector Panels into arrays as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The heat exchanger segment [102], [204], [800] of the Collector Panel accommodates any non-corrosive liquid.

[0039] Photovoltaic Electric Power Segment

[0040] The Photovoltaic electric power segment [101], [201], [401] and FIG. 7 draws electric current from the photovoltaic units [101], [401] of the collector panels to operate electrical apparatus, and is connected to a building plan electrical power system as shown in FIG. 6, and charge batteries to store energy for subsequent use. Such battery charging systems with DC to AC conversion systems are well understood in the art.

[0041] In general, battery charge controllers to keep the batteries charged and prevent overcharging regulate electric current flow from the photovoltaic electric power segment to battery banks. Battery output current is supplied to one or more DC to AC inverters to convert DC battery power to AC power to supply power at the required voltage and frequency to consumer electrical apparatus. A battery voltage sensor may be provided to determine when the Solar array power is not sufficient to keep the batteries fully charged to satisfy consumer power demand, at which time it activates a transfer relay to connect the battery charger to city mains or a consumer auxiliary generator for additional power. The consumer can be provided with additional control of the transfer relay to direct city mains power to his plant and/or feed unused solar power from the DC to AC Inverter back to the city utility grid.

[0042] The electrical conduit connections [202], [402] facilitate the joining of any number of Collector Panels into arrays as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. By the means described above, the Collector Panel array is integrated with consumer electric systems such as power distribution, electric space heating, and industrial process power and control systems thus replacing or augmenting the electrical components of these systems.

[0043] Heat Transfer Segment

[0044] In a warm or hot climate, FIG. 5, a liquid is heated for household or commercial domestic use. Similarly, a liquid is heated for an industrial or commercial manufacturing process. Cold liquid flows from the consumer's plant into the panels and heated liquid flows out of the panels into the consumer's plant. As illustrated in FIG. 8, an array of the Collector Panels may be integrated with consumer plant systems such as an Air Conditioning or a heat pump system to add or remove heat, thus replacing or augmenting the heat transfer components of these systems.

[0045] Controlling fluid flow in consumer plant heat transfer systems in generally understood in the art. Check valves provide liquid flow in a single direction to prevent the flow directly from the source into the consumer plant. A shutoff valve can be provided for consumer control of incoming liquid. A control valve is often provided for consumer control of liquid flow to and from storage tanks, such as roof top storage tanks combined with a rain collection system. The roof top tank provides plant liquid pressurization in the absence of other sources of pressurization, such as city water.

[0046] In a cold climate, FIG. 6, a liquid is cooled for industrial processes or machines such as a stationery engine. Hot liquid flows [601] from the consumer's plant into the panels and cooled liquid flows [602] out of the panels into the consumer's plant. A rooftop may be heated through the Collector Panels to reduce snow and ice build-up, and keep the Collector Panels free of snow and ice.

[0047] Depending upon the climate where the Collector Panel array is installed, heat is removed from or added to the Panels improving their Photovoltaic efficiency, minimizing thermal stress and material deterioration to yield maximum lifetime, and providing a cooled or heated liquid for the consumer at the same time. Consumer plant liquid flow and temperature control and thermal energy storage or dissipation is provided through a temperature sensor [809] included as part of the Collector Panel. The sensor is an integrated part of the Collector Panel for domestic, industrial, and commercial system/process controls. The sensor signal can be interfaced to a controller device [811] which can be a process control microprocessor, programmable controller, or Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) 3-mode controller whose output controls a proportional flow control valve [812] to control liquid flow as a function of collector panel discharge flow temperature. The Panel photovoltaic grid temperature is thus maintained within an optimal operating range of 70 to 100 degrees F. 

I claim:
 1. A collector panel assembly for thermal radiant cooling and simultaneously converting solar energy to electrical power and for simultaneously converting solar energy to electrical power and thermal energy comprising: A rectangular box enclosure with an open top and a closed bottom, a first closed long side and a second closed log side, a first closed short side and a second closed short side; A top cover that transmits solar energy sized to fit the said open top of the rectangular box enclosure; A photovoltaic grid located within the said box below the cover for converting solar energy transmitted into the box through the said top cover into electrical energy; A thermal collecting/radiator plate located within the said box on a plane below the photovoltaic grid for converting solar energy transmitted into the box through the said top cover into thermal energy; A plurality of interconnected heat collecting tubes located within the said rectangular box enclosure disposed on a plane below the thermal collecting/radiator plate but conductively coupled to the plate thought a thermally conductive material that collects thermal energy from the said plate and imparts that thermal energy in a fluid disposed within the heat collecting tubes to provide a source of thermal energy; An electrical energy distribution means for collecting electrical power from the said photovoltaic grid and transferring it out of the rectangular box enclosure though an interface with building plant electrical power system; A temperature sensor located on the fluid discharge outlet of the said rectangular box enclosure for use in discharge fluid temperature control and for photovoltaic grid temperature control; A Fresnel lens assembly consisting of three lenses; A set of Lens retainers, two for each Fresnel lens; A lens supports with substantial openings mounted on each side of the said rectangular box enclosure whose length matches the enclosure.
 2. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said enclosure is made from aluminum.
 3. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said substantial openings are covered with movable louvers.
 4. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where the said bottom plate surface interior to the said rectangular box enclosure is covered with a thermal insulating material.
 5. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said top cover is made of glass.
 6. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said top cover is made of plastic.
 7. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said thermal collecting /radiator plate is made from copper.
 8. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said interconnected heat collecting tubes are made from copper
 9. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said thermally conductive material is an epoxy paste impregnated with copper.
 10. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said interface with plant electrical power system consists of: electrical junction box and threaded conduit elbow located on the external surface of the bottom of the rectangular box enclosure.
 11. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said discharge outlet is a standard threaded brass half inch pipe fitting.
 12. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said Fresnel lenses are 0.3 inches thick.
 13. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said Fresnel lenses are made from a plastic material.
 14. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said lens retainers are made from plastic.
 15. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said lens supports are made from aluminum.
 16. A collector panel assembly of claim 1 where said temperature sensor is a resistance type senor.
 17. A collector panel assembly of claim 15 where said lens supports have a width sized to allow a Fresnel lens stand-off distance ranging from 4 to 6 inches from top cover of the rectangular box enclosure.
 18. A collector panel assembly of claim 4 where the said thermal insulating material is foam.
 19. A method of controlling discharge temperature of the collector panel assembly of claim 1 comprising the steps of: converting fluid temperature to a resistance value by the said temperature sensor; converting the resistance of the sensor to an analog voltage using a bridge circuit within a microprocessor-based controller device; converting the analog voltage into a digital voltage using an Analog to digital converter within a microprocessor-based controller device; performing a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control calculation converting temperature value to a proportional flow rate within a microprocessor-based controller device; setting an analog output value representative of desired fluid flow rate within a microprocessor-based controller device; sending this value to a proportional valve positioner over a pair of wires; positioning a flow control vale position with the valve positioner; adjusting vale trim to desired flow rate by a mechanical connection to the positioer.
 20. The method of claim 19 where the discharge temperature is set to a temperature that sets a proportional temperature of the Photovoltaic grid to a range of 70° to 100° F.
 21. A method of controlling roof temperature if collector panel assembly of claim 1 mounted on the building roof comprising the steps of: Flowing a hot fluid into the copper tub heat exchanger; removing heat from the fluid by the copper tubes and conducting the heat to the thermal collecting/radiator plate; radiating the heat out through the enclosure and heating the surrounding roof area.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the heat is used to melt ice and snow on the collector assembly and surrounding roof.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein instead of introducing a hot liquid a cool liquid is used resulting in the ability to cool a roof. 